-DEPARTURES
2008 Japanese film
Twenty-five years ago today
August 29, 1987
It all happened so suddenly. My mother called me at the townhouse.
“Come over quickly. It’s your dad.”
She scared me. The tone in her voice was one of fright. I rushed over and I saw my dad lying on the living room couch. He looked so pale.
“What happened?” I asked.
Mom explained, “I heard him fall in the bathroom.”It looked like he had a slight cut on his head.
Dad kept arguing calmly, “I’m okay…I just have heartburn.”
We knew it was more than that. Tony came over and we were all in agreement to call for the ambulance. He needed to be checked out.
The ironic thing is that it all happened so quickly. The ambulance arrived and he was taken to the local ALAMEDA HOSPITAL emergency room. Mom and my brothers were in the waiting room. Finally, a doctor came out and took us all into a small office.
The doctor said, “We did everything we could.”
My mother screamed.
My brothers and I saw him one last time. My mother was crying. I touched my father's lower leg. I almost felt he could feel our presence. We were told he was given morphine to relieve his pain as he’d had a heart attack. He had a mild heart attack about seven years earlier. My dad was gone. We were heartbroken.
The obituary in the ALAMEDA TIMES STAR:
ARMIJO, JOE N. - In Alameda, August 29, Beloved husband of Virginia Armijo of Alameda, Father of Anthony, Michael and John Armijo. Grandfather of Ashley and Lauren Armijo. A native of New Mexico, aged 52 years. A 28-year employee of Del Monte Corporation, Plant #237, Oakland. Services were held on September 2 at GREER ALAMEDA Funeral Chapel. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Haward, CA.
The Beginnings – Part 57: HE WAS SILENT
July 11, 1983
It’s another BLUE MONDAY. I washed my car and did manage to take it in for a free service and safety check. All they wanted to do was change my oil and the filter. I think I’ll hold off on that until Saturday because I can get a $13.95 deal at that time. I’d best watch my budget these days.
When I telephoned George Jones this morning he said, “My mom is going away this weekend!”
I knew this meant that it would be free for me to come and spend time with him there. I don’t know if I will go…or not. I want to get a lube and oil job on my car…but a lube and oil job ‘ON ME’ by him might feel better. Ha-ha.
I took a nap in Alameda at mom and dad’s house after my work day. When I drove to my pad in San Leandro I talked to Frank Vasconcellos. We didn’t talk about anything much.
I wrote some ‘anytime’ cards for Frank, George, Paige, Barbara and one extra to my ‘one and only’ infatuation: the beautiful and desirable Ann-Margret. My goal is to write her a card every month until she finally takes notice of me. I want to eventually meet her. My goal is to lunch or dine with Ann-Margret one day. Yummy. I really want to do that.
I phoned George at his mom’s house but he had visitors.
“Who’s there?” I asked.
“Oh, it’s just Ken and Cammie.”
“So…you can’t really talk.”“Not really.”
“Okay…we’ll talk later.”
“Okay…I’m going to spend the night with Ken, Don and Kevin in Los Gatos.”
“Well…I just want you to know that I’m not too thrilled about that idea.”
He was silent.
When I called George later at Ken and Don’s apartment in Los Gatos we had a better conversation. We both spoke of how we miss each other. George was also excited about some new job prospects in my area of Northern California.
I said reassuringly, “Well, I’m crossing my fingers but I am looking forward to our being roommates.”July 12, 1983
I wore my Los Angeles T-Shirt and leaf green shorts to work today. It was summer dress down day.
I got a few whistles and one girl said, “Don’t wear that ever again because it’s too much of a distraction for all of the girls in the office.”I laughed.
I lied and said, “I wish I could…but I promised my cousin we’d go bike riding.”
I knew George was calling me at seven-thirty and I wanted to leave my options open.
When I arrived home I was so hungry. I placed the remainder of my refrigerated French bread in the oven. I was craving fresh, warm bread. I dozed off and woke up feeling like I needed a bike ride. I dressed in my cycle gear and left. As I was riding I recalled that I had forgotten about the French bread in the oven! By the time I remembered about it I was already in Hayward! I made a rapid ride back home. There were some dudes who whistled at me when I drove by the skating rink. Yuck! Unfortunately, I was too late as far as the bread was concerned. It was burnt to a crisp.
Mike said, “If George doesn’t move-in with you…let me know.”
I also spoke to Renee Miller.
I asked, “Why don’t you come over to see my apartment in San Leandro?”
Renee answered, “I’ll come and visit you in a couple of weeks because I’m going on vacation next week to Washington with Dave and Helen.”
I said, “Oh…I might go camping to an area called Westwood with my friend, George.”
I can’t wait for the camping trip. Only one sleeping bag…Hmm…Ha-ha.
George telephoned and said, “I’ll call you when I get to San Leandro with Toni and company.”
He was going for the ‘Gay Tuesday’ Skating night.
After his call I telephoned Tammy and asked, “Are you going to the skating rink?”
“Yes, I’ll be there.”
Why should I be surprised? I definitely do not want to enter that joint again. I simply confirmed my dinner date with Tammy for tomorrow night. She will be cooking dinner. It will be yummy fun.
George finally called me from the skating rink at a bit after 10PM. I had already given up on him and went to bed.
“I just got here,” George exclaimed.
And so…I decided to dress and cruise over to pick him up. I drove back to my pad and we shared each other’s company. We made love.
Later, we went to the SEASONS RESTAURANT. I saw all of those gross skating type people. Michael was there.
I asked him, “Where’s Tammy?”
“Oh…she went home.”
“Ah…that’s too bad.”
“Watch out for her because she’s in her ‘Tamara’ mood.”
“Why is that?” I asked.
“Oh…she’s been hanging out with Angelina too much.”
George and I talked tonight.
I explained, “You know…if I should meet a girl that I’m H.O.H. over…I won’t hesitate to date her.”
George answered, “I can deal with that when…and if it comes about.”
“I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”
I went to bed at two o’clock in the morning. George came over again to pick up his card that I had written for him. His friend, Toni, came in and we chatted for a moment. Then George and I kissed our usual goodbye.
Yes, I love you. But you can’t love me because I’m not worth loving!
No, But I do love you. Stupidly!
Then you’re an idiot.
We’re both idiots.
-Christopher Bram
SURPRISING MYSELF, a novel
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